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Price Realism Requirement Is Easily Triggered

Client Alert | 1 min read | 05.20.13

In Esegur-Empresa de Segurança, SA (April 26, 2013), GAO held that the solicitation statement that "unrealistically . . . low . . . prices may serve as a basis for rejection of the proposal" alone created a presumption that the agency would in fact conduct a price realism evaluation of whether proposed prices are too low, even though the solicitation did not say such an evaluation would be conducted, and the agency's failure to do so therefore required that the protest of the awardee's low price award must be sustained. If agencies prophylactically include such language warning against "too low" prices in "low cost technically acceptable" solicitations, disappointed offerors may have a ready-made protest if no realism analysis is performed, but, if agencies do not include such language, they may be required to award to high risk offerors who do not understand the requirements.


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Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.13.24

Harmonizing AI with EEO Requirements: OFCCP’s Blueprint for Federal Contractors

Now more than ever, federal contractors find themselves at the intersection of innovation and regulation, particularly in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  AI is now incorporated into a broad range of business systems, including those with the potential to inform contractor employment decisions.  For that reason, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has issued new guidance entitled “Artificial Intelligence and Equal Employment Opportunity for Federal Contractors” (the “AI Guide”).  OFCCP issued the AI Guide in accordance with President Biden’s Executive Order 14110 (regarding the “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence”), which we reported on here.  The AI Guide provides answers to commonly asked questions about the use of AI in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) context.  The AI Guide also offers “Promising Practices,” which highlight a number of important considerations for federal contractors.  Focusing on federal contractors’ obligations and attendant risks when utilizing AI to assist in employment-related decisions, the AI Guide also provides recommendations for ensuring compliance with EEO requirements while harnessing the efficiencies of AI....